Wendy has lived with her husband Andrew, and their four daughters at “Merchison Park”, a beef cattle property in the Teelba area near Glenmorgan for the past 27 years. Her children were educated at the local stand-alone primary school, Teelba State School for all their primary school years before heading to St Hilda’s School, Southport for their secondary schooling. With her girls now residing not only in Queensland, but also interstate, the importance of access to education continues.
Wendy became a member of the Westmar Inglestone Branch not long after the birth of her first daughter Annabelle, in 2000. Her primary motivation was to catch up with other young mums living in the area; Wendy also had an interest in the organisation as a school friend had lived and breathed ICPA, including having her father serve a period as State President. Wendy has held the position of Secretary for the branch and has also been on the convening committees for the 2012 conference in Goondiwindi, and the 2013 conference in Toowoomba. Wendy went on to co-convene the 2013 Federal Conference in Brisbane and then convene the 2021 50th Anniversary Federal Conference in Longreach.
A deep-seated passion and belief that all children, regardless of how they learn, deserve an equitable education, saw Wendy join State Council in 2015 at the Cloncurry conference. She led the Specific Needs Portfolio for many years before also leading Curriculum and then Boarding Schools and Hostels and Early Childhood, whilst also sitting on other portfolios. The development of the “Orange Book”, by ICPA Qld in conjunction with Queensland Health, was a major achievement of which ICPA Qld and Wendy were proud. With her daughter Kate studying Primary Education and Annabelle, Early Childhood, the relevance of ICPA continues to motivate each day.
Wendy was elected Vice-President in 2018 and held the position until 2023 when she was elected President. Wendy has a number of goals she would like to achieve in this role along with continuing the work of previous Presidents. Raising the profile of ICPA Qld and ensuring there is not only a strong connection with all stakeholders, but also with branch members, is of prime importance. Wendy also wants to ensure the work of the organisation is relevant and secure in the years ahead, including for all ages and stage-of-life and education. With her third daughter, Peggy, having a keen interest in pursuing a trade through an apprenticeship, Wendy knows that post-formal schooling is as important as early childhood, primary years, secondary years and tertiary access and opportunities. Jane, Wendy’s youngest daughter is Governessing this year whilst having a “gap year” before heading to university next year.
The next generation of members will be the ones who see the organisation flourish for the next 54 years. Wendy strongly encourages members to bring their issues forward to help ensure that every child everywhere has equitable access to education regardless of where their families live.
